Saudi to Chair World Heritage Committee 2023

After a unanimous vote in its Parisian headquarters, UNESCO announced Saudi Arabia as the new Chair of the World Heritage Committee.

The kingdom will also be hosting the committee’s 45th annual meeting. Chosen for the state’s extraordinary support and continued efforts in working with UNESCO, for the first time, delegates from around the world will gather in Riyadh for discussions from September 10 to September 25, 2023.

The committee’s 45th edition will be chaired by HH Princess Haifa bint Abdulaziz Al-Mogrin, in her capacity as Saudi’s permanent representative to UNESCO and as chairperson of the UNESCO Programs and External Relations Committee.

The UNESCO World Heritage Committee is formed by a group of respected, elected representatives from 21 different state parties, including Argentina, Belgium, Egypt, Greece, India, Saudi, and Thailand. This committee is solely responsible for upholding the UNESCO World Heritage Convention program that was established in 1972.

The convention encourages the identification, protection, and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of exceptional worth to humanity. Additionally, UNESCO aims to protect the intangible yet significant cultural heritage found around the world, referring to living cultural expressions, languages, and practices passed down through generations.

UNESCO’s Heritage Sites are a collection of natural and cultural spots that have been designated as having “outstanding universal value” by the organization. The locales are considered to be of importance to the collective interests of humanity and are recognized as part of the world's cultural and natural heritage. They can be in the form of buildings, monuments, landscapes, archaeological sites, or even entire cities.

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Some of the most famous ones include the Taj Mahal, Machu Picchu, the Great Barrier Reef, the Palace and Park of Versailles, and the Grand Canyon National Park. And we are lucky that Saudi is home to six UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with 10 more waiting for review and approval by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. These locations have been deemed to be of significant cultural heritage to not only the people of Saudi but to the entire world.

Let's take a look below, at the internationally renowned UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the kingdom.

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Hegra Archaeological Site (2008)

The Hegra Archaeological Site, part of the AlUla region, is now more widely known as Madain Saleh. It is a well-preserved example of an ancient Nabataean city, and contains over 100 tombs, temples, and other structures that date back more than 2,000 years. The most iconic architectural masterpiece is the Qasr al-Farid, a stand-alone tomb with a large gate in the center.

At-Turaif District, Diriyah (2010)

The At-Turaif district in Diriyah is an example of the Arabian Peninsula’s traditional architecture. The district, close to Riyadh, contains houses, palaces, and fortresses that were built in the 15th and 16th centuries, and is considered one of the most important examples of traditional urban planning in the region.

Mecca Gate, Historic Jeddah (2014)

The old city of Jeddah sits on the edge of the Red Sea and has been inhabited since the seventh century. It was once one of the most important port cities in the region and acted as a link for trade to the Indian Ocean, while Mecca Gate was used as the entryway for pilgrims visiting the holy city of Mecca. According to UNESCO, this area is considered to have “outstanding universal value” for its history and unique architectural styling.

Rock Art, Hail (2015)

Officially added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2015, Saudi’s Hail region is home to a plethora of ancient rock art etched by our ancestors almost 10,000 years ago. Acting as a window into the past, these rock carvings depict animals and humans hunting, participating in ancient rituals, and also in daily life, making them a valuable source regarding the historic culture of the region. UNESCO recognized the cultural and historical significance of these petroglyphs (rock carvings) nationally and internationally, and has supported their preservation and restoration for the future.

Al Ahsa Oasis, an Evolving Cultural Landscape (2018)

Al Ahsa Oasis — the largest oasis in the world — can be traced back to Neolithic times and is an example of traditional irrigation systems. The area also contains a large variety of crops such as dates, grains, and vegetables, making it a “unique geo-cultural landscape and an exceptional example of human interaction with the environment,” according to UNESCO.

The Hima Cultural Area (2021)

The Hima Cultural Area, the latest addition to the list of sites in the kingdom, is located in the southern region of the Arabian Peninsula, and is known as an incredible example of a site holding centuries-old inscriptions, petroglyphs, and art, many of which depict hunting, nature, plants, animals, and the way people lived in the region. UNESCO deemed Hima Cultural Area to be an important example of the traditional way of life that should be preserved for future generations.